In the given question, there are several information's of immense importance. using these information's the required answer can be easily deduced. It is already given that Jan had spent $16 for buying books and magazines. The cost of each book is $3 and the cost of each magazine is $2.50. Jan bought a total of 6 books and magazines.
Let us assume that the number of books Jan bought = x
the number of magazines Jan bought = y
Then
x + y = 6
x = 6 - y
and
3x + 2.5y = 16
Replacing the value of x from the first equation in the second we get
3x + 2.5y = 16
3(6 - y) + 2.5y = 16
18 - 3y + 2.5y = 16
- 0.5y = -2
y = 2/0.5
= 4
Replacing the value of y in first equation we get
x + y = 6
x + 4 = 6
x = 2
So Jan bought 2 books and 4 magazines.
